...Medical Sciences The Code of Ethics for Nurses F Zahedi, M Sanjari, [...], and M Vahid Dastgerdi Additional article information Abstract Nurses are ever-increasingly confronted with complex concerns in their practice. Codes of ethics are fundamental guidance for nursing as many other professions. Although there are authentic international codes of ethics for nurses, the national code would be the additional assistance provided for clinical nurses in their complex roles in care of patients, education, research and management of some parts of health care system in the country. A national code can provide nurses with culturally-adapted guidance and help them to make ethical decisions more closely to the Iranian-Islamic background. Given the general acknowledgement of the need, the National Code of Ethics for Nurses was compiled as a joint project (2009–2011). The Code was approved by the Health Policy Council of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and communicated to all universities, healthcare centers, hospitals and research centers early in 2011. The focus of this article is on the course of action through which the Code was compiled, amended and approved. The main concepts of the code will be also presented here. No doubt, development of the codes should be considered as an ongoing process. This is an overall responsibility to keep the codes current, updated with the new progresses of science and emerging challenges, and pertinent to the nursing practice. Keywords:...
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...Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia Developed under the auspices of Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council, Australian College of Nursing, Australian Nursing Federation Introduction This Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia has been developed for the nursing profession in Australia. It is relevant to all nurses at all levels and areas of practice including those encompassing clinical, management,education and research 1 domains. This Code is framed by the principles and standards set forth in the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; the World Health Organization’s Constitution and publication series entitled Health and Human Rights; and the United Nations Development Programme Human Development Report 2 2004: Cultural liberty in today’s diverse world. In considering this Code and its companion, the Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia, it should be borne in mind that they are designed for multiple audiences: nurses; nursing students; people requiring or receiving nursing care; the community generally; employers of nurses; nursing regulatory authorities; and consumer protection agencies. It is also noteworthy that the concepts of ‘ethics’ and ‘morality’ are substantially the same and have been used interchangeably throughout this Code. This Code outlines the nursing profession’s commitment to respect, promote, protect...
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...Difference Professional nursing organizations such as the Wisconsin Nurses Association (WNA) function as an advocate for registered nurses at the state level. The Wisconsin Nurses Assocation “works to protect, promote, and enhance the practice of professional nursing.” (“WISCONSINNURSES.ORG,” n.d.) The WNA encourages members to follow the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses, provides assistance with professional development, and represents nurses at the state and national level. As a member of the WNA I know my voice is heard in Madison and Washington D.C. due to the actions of political action committees. I have the Code of Ethics to guide my practice. And I have access to numerous resources such as workshops, webinars and conferences to assist in developing my professional career as an RN in the state of Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Board of Nursing is a regulatory agency that is part of the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. “The Board of Nursing is involved in education, Legislation, licensing, and discipline of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Nurses (RNs), Nurse Midwives and Advanced Practice Nurse Prescribers (APNP).” (“dsps.wi.gov/Boards –Councils/Board-Pages/Board-of-Nursing-Main-Page/,”n.d.) Chapter 441 of the Wisconsin State Statues provides an overview of the regulatory responsibilities of the Wisconsin Board of Nursing. The Nurse Licensure Compact...
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...ACHE v. AMA Codes of Ethics ACHE v. AMA Codes of Ethics The American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Code of Ethics is a list of principles set forth to guide healthcare executives in their daily practice. The Code of Ethics clearly defines the behavior and performance standards required by those performing the duties of healthcare executives. The ACHE Code of Ethics is designed in a way that clearly directs healthcare executives in their interactions with patients, employees, and the community. The ACHE Code of Ethics also clearly defines the responsibilities of the healthcare executive to the profession of healthcare management and also the responsibilities of the healthcare executive to the organization, as well as the responsibility of the healthcare executive to report violations of the code to the appropriate entities. The ACHE Code of Ethics is comprehensive and provides guidance for healthcare executives in the many facets of the profession. One of the areas of strength of the ACHE Code of Ethics is the focus on ensuring that there are adequate processes in places for nearly every area of patient care, including conflict resolution, safeguards to prevent discrimination, ensuring autonomy, ensuring confidentiality, and many others. Because the ACHE Code of Ethics outlines the importance of having these processes in place, it is vital that the healthcare executive ensure that these processes are in place so that he/she can be in compliance with the ethical...
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...the foundation of nursing ethics (?????). Making care of the patient the foremost important ethical duty of the patient (??????). As health care today has become more complex and challenging the fundamental principles of Florence Nightingale’s ethical principles are still in use today (??????). Over the years the adoption of more formal codes of ethics, the American Nurses Association and the International Council of Nurses, were established to guide nurses in everyday choices of care (BOOK>>>>). Understanding the fundamental necessity of professional codes of ethics in nursing is an essential skill. Therefore, this paper will discuss and compare the importance of the American Nurses Association...
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...Violation of The Honor Code and Ethical Practice in Nursing ECPI University Abstract This paper explores the effects of academic dishonesty and violations of the Honor Code in Nursing School, and the importance of ethics and ethical behavior in the nursing field. This will include a review of the Honor Code, and a discussion of why it is important. It will also take a look at the Code of Ethics and will cover problems that may arise when violations of the Honor Code and unethical behavior occur, the responsibilities of ethical behavior, and ways of staying on track with ensuring ethical behavior and practices are promoted in the Nursing Field. Violation of the Honor Code and Ethical Practices in Nursing The field of nursing is a highly critical field that requires the upholding of a strict code of ethics to ensure the safety and well being of doctors, nurses, and patients alike. Predominately, nursing is a career field that has associates that need to be immensely trusted by patients. Among any teaching, unethical academic behaviors may link in with a student’s future practice as a professional. Therefore, it is important that students of this profession be held to high standards and have rules that are set in place that obligates one to manage themselves ethically. Health Sciences, specifically nursing, deals with other people’s lives, every decision made has an impact on the patients outcome. Teaching and guiding students to think and behave in an ethical way will...
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...What is your view of “Professional Nursing”? Nursing is a profession that has its depth and breadth in meeting different health care needs of the population (American Nurses Association (ANA), 2010). What is it that makes a professional nurse? Is it caring for the patient with compassion and devotion? Based on the interviews conducted among the three categories of staff, it was echoed that professional nursing takes a lot more than just attending to the needs of patients. From a professional perspective, nursing has a complex natural history of identification as a vocation with aspiration of being a profession from a long time (Brown & Libberton, 2007). In the past, the image of a nurse was as clear as, “the nurse is one whose studies give him or her just enough knowledge to follow and apply the decisions taken by the doctor or surgeon” (Gordon, 2000, p.218 cited in Harmer, 2010, p.295). Today, with the diversity of the nursing profession and the extension of the role of the nurse, defining a professional nurse is becoming complex. The identity of nursing is becoming blurred while trying to advance the profession (Harmer, 2010). According to Styles (2005) cited in Allen (2007), the attributes that are expected in professional nursing are higher academic education, a research based specialized body of knowledge, distinct service to society, a code of ethics, autonomy, accountability and authority over work. Be this as it may, the International Labor...
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...UTILITARIANISM Ethics is a branch of philosophy that is concerned with what is morally good and bad or right and wrong. It is the core value system we use in life when solving our daily problems. Ethics was developed on a wide variety of factors and are not the absolute rules. People build their lives from personal ethics; however many people find it difficult to define ethics. Some people believe that ethics is derived from the inner voice, which guides us through our daily lives. While others consider ethics to be innate; many feel it is developed as a result of our environment. Ethics involves how we treat people in terms of respect and the concern we have for their well being. Many businesses and organizations operate under a code of ethics, which was established to govern the behavior within that environment. A code of ethics is necessary to accomplish success or overcome adversity. If there were no rules or guidelines it would be difficult to hold one accountable for poor decision-making or bad behavior. Violation of the code of ethics in a business or organization may result in sanctions or legal penalties. Among the major fields of applied ethics are bioethics, business ethics, legal ethics and medical ethics. Nurses are licensed by each state and they are part of a self-regulating profession. They are responsible for their own work and have their own code of ethics. Nurses are governed by a set of rules and regulation, which...
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...Individual Analysis Standards of Nursing Nursing is a multi-faceted and evolving profession defined by the American Nurses Association (ANA) as, “The protection, promotion, and optimization of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human responses, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities and population” (ANA, 2010, p.1). Standards of nursing care set by the ANA include standards of care, code of ethics, and professional standards. The standards set forth by the ANA help to define the scope of nursing practice. For the purpose of this paper, I will further detail how these standards affect my professional nursing care. Nursing professionals are obligated and expected to practice within the scope and standards of nursing care. Within my own scope of practice, I follow the standards of care on a daily basis. I am assessing patients, planning patient care, implementing, and evaluating the outcomes of patient care. My facility has outlined standards of care. By following these policies and procedures, I can commit to safe nursing practice. Nursing professionals are also obligated and expected to adhere to the standards of professional performance. Within my own nursing practice, I am expected to provide nonjudgmental care, therefore I must disrequard my own prejudices and be an advocate for the patient no matter the patient’s race, economic status, disease process, or chosen lifestyle. The nursing professional is also responsible to...
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...An analysis of some of the ethical concepts identified from the American Nursing Association (ANA) code of ethics The American Nursing Associations (ANA) code of ethics for nurse practitioners was first adopted in 1950 with the sole purpose of reinforcing the ethical obligations of every individual who joins the nursing profession (American Nurses Association, 2001). The document provides a detailed and explicit elaboration of the ethical duties that nurses are expected to fulfil in their day to day routine undertakings as nurses. The following paper attempts to analyze some of the ethical concepts identified in the ANA code of ethics for nurses in the United States. Found in the first provision of the ANA code of ethics, the right to...
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...Board of Nursing located in Jefferson City, Missouri, has the sole responsibility of protecting the public, and enforcing the state laws to ensure safe and competent nursing care is being provided. The Missouri State Board of Nursing consists of 9 board members who oversee that RNs and LPNs throughout the state are providing safe and competent care to the general public by following the Nurse Practice Act (“Board of Nursing”, n.d.). The Missouri State Board of Nursing is also responsible for the approval of applications for licensure after a graduate nurse has taken the NCLEX exam, as well as taking action against nurses who have demonstrated unsafe nursing care by suspension or possible revocation of their nursing license. Time range for the approval of an application in the state of Missouri is typically 30 to 45 days (“Board of Nursing”, n.d.). If an application requires further review, then the application could take up to 4 months to process. Nurses within the state of Missouri receive a two year license, LPNs renew on even years and RNs renew on odd years. Other things the Board of Nursing is responsible for include: “Approving nursing education programs, establishing nursing practicing guidelines from the regulatory standpoint, and developing policies, rules and regulations” ("Roles of State Boards of Nursing: Licensure, Regulation and Complaint Investigation," 2012). The Missouri Board of Nursing holds hearings and investigates any complaints of nursing care within...
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...Perceptualizing the Profession In the health care field, there is ongoing debate on subjects such as health care reform, ethical dilemmas, and ideals regarding nursing as a profession. Those debating the issue are generally passionate about their stance on regarded topics. Some teeter or straddle the fence, while others have no opinion or just do not care. The view of nurses in the workforce has fueled discussions on how nursing is categorized in terms of perception: Is nursing an occupation or is it a profession? In the Oxford Dictionary (US) online (2014), the word profession is defined as “a paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and formal qualifications.” A precise definition has been debated among scholars since the beginning of the 1900’s and was historically reserved for learned professions such as law, ministry, medicine and educators of higher learning (Williams, Onsman, & Brown, 2009). It is interesting to note, as society has changed, so has the term, profession, in its application. There are professions such as athletes or actors and actresses who have coined the term profession, which only serves to further distort the public’s perception and acceptance. This perceptual view varies across geographical, cultural and historical milieu. In an effort to understand nursing as a profession and where it may be in the future, one must return to its very beginning. Regardless of the blurred edges, the criteria of a profession have evolved...
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...university courses. As a performance qualifier, a submission date is perhaps the best standard to quantify and guide the appropriation of performance levels to Higher Education courses and modules. In this sense, the submission date helps the markers to allocate credits to students’ work by determining the key inquiries of performance qualifier standards, that is, what should be done how well is it done and within what period of time. A student’s ability to work within the submission date is part of the objectives of university course assessments that is used to measure and make judgment on graduate qualities as demonstrated by the particular student (University of Ulster, 2012). The submission date gives a student a defined time period for research and compiling of the information for the assessment in question. This is instrumental in a student’s self-assessment of their progress as well as in appraising their abilities in relation to their course of study. The ability to work within the deadline provided by the submission date is an important determinant of whether a student is suited for the demands of their course of study (Harvey, 2012). As such, this aids both the student and the university in making progress decisions concerning the student such as which grade the student is to be awarded at a particular level of the course. Further, the deadline represents an invaluable contribution to the academic standards of the university as the submission date is in this case used to...
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...Governors University Nursing is a profession that has been influenced by nursing pioneers, scholars, government agencies and nursing organizations. Nurses need to develop a professional mission statement that defines our understanding of nursing concepts, our professional strengths and our critical thinking abilities. A. Functional Differences A regulatory agency, such as the Virginia Board of Nursing (VBON), is state government agency that exists solely to enforce the laws that regulate nursing practice. The BON protects the public’s safety and welfare by outlining the standards for safe nursing care, issuing licenses to practice nursing and monitoring compliance to state laws (McDaniel, 2013-14). The BON will investigate complaints of nurses not in compliance with the nurse practice act and will take necessary disciplinary action against nurses found in violation. In addition, BONs approve pre-licensure nursing education programs and oversee the licensure examination of nurses. All health care professionals must pay licensure fees in order to practice legally in their state. These activities assure that the public is cared for by qualified individuals (McDaniel, 2013-14). Professional nursing organizations have the same goal as BONs, to protect the public, however the method by which it is accomplished is functionally different. Nursing organizations are nurses working together to develop professional standards and practices, codes of ethics, and to promote and to...
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...and ethical principles (Fry & Johnstone, 2002). Tesfamicael GhebrehiwetThe nursing profession uses regulatory mechanisms, codes of ethics and other means to ensure ethical behavior. For example, The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses asserts, “Inherent in nursing is respect for human rights, including the right to life, to dignity and to be treated with respect” (ICN, 2000, p. 2). To locate ethical issues within the context of nursing, it is vital to understand the International Council of Nurses (ICN) definition of nursing itself: “Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. Nursing includes the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled, and dying people. Advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, research, participating in shaping health policy and in patient and health systems management, and education are also key nursing roles” (ICN, 2005). This definition incorporates the three components of bioethics as outlined by Fry and Johnstone (2002), including norms of nursing practice, expansion of knowledge, and advocacy or policy development. It follows that nurses must develop a thorough knowledge of ethical issues, policies and procedures related to the protection of people as part of their responsibility as professional nurses. Ethics and nursing responsibilities As medical and scientific technology advance, individuals and society...
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